History

History

The most common questions people ask us are what does the Ironhouse Sanitary District do and where did it get its unusual name? Much like the community it serves, the Ironhouse Sanitary District has a long and storied history. See ISD's cronology.

In existence since 1945, ISD utilizes a staff of 33 field and office personnel to maintain sanitary services for more than 42,000 customers in the Oakley and Bethel Island area. The district treats approximately 2 million gallons of recycled water every day at our newly built technologically advanced Water Recycle Facility located north of Main Street near downtown Oakley. Half of the recycled water is spread on fields ISD owns near the Oakley facility on Jersey Island and the other half is release into the San Joaquin River through a special state permit.

Sanitation Industry Award

ISD's facility, designed completely in house by our engineer, Jenny Skrel, won a sanitation industry award for technological advancement shortly after building in 2012. The facility is environmentally sound and strictly regulated. No chemicals are used in the membrane bioreactor process. Instead, water is cleaned by a process that uses filtration and ultra-violet light.

Recycled Water To Water Hay Fields

As stated earlier half of ISD's recycled water is released on to Jersey Island to help water hay fields. In turn the district-grown hay is used to feed ISD owned cattle. The cattle are then sold around the world. This process provides an environmentally safe way to distribute ISD's recycled water.

Jersey Island

Jersey Island is a natural habitat for the Delta's wildlife and waterfowl, including some endangered species. Jersey Island, because of its function as a wildlife habitat and proximity to the Delta, has also become a popular destination for fishermen.

Where The Name is Derived From

The district's unique name derives from Ironhouse School, which was a small schoolhouse that once served the families living in the rural area near Hotchkiss Tract. (A picture of the school appears with the chronology.) The school served much of the territory that today is encompassed by the sanitary district, so when it came time to select a name for ISD, the Ironhouse moniker seemed a natural fit.

Meeting The Needs of Tomorrow

From our district manager, office staff and engineers in our office, to the men and women who work in the Water Recycling Facility and in the field maintaining ISD's pipelines, efficiency and customer service are our top goals. ISD employees take pride in their work and are dedicated to working to continue to be a leader in recycled water industry, while maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

Mission Statement

"We protect public health, safety and the environment through responsible wastewater collection, treatment and water reuse."